QA

Quick Answer: How Do I Measure The Square Footage Of My House

Measure the length and width, in feet, of each room. Then, multiply the length by the width to calculate that room’s square footage. For example: If a bedroom is 12 feet by 20 feet, it is 240 square feet (12 x 20 = 240).

Is house square footage measured inside or outside?

The standard practice calls for measuring square footage from your exterior walls, as opposed to measuring the actual interior dimensions of each room. This includes each wall as part of your square footage, although it obviously isn’t usable space.

What is included in square footage of a house?

When an appraiser calculates the square footage of a home, it will only measure interior spaces that are heated and cooled. This includes bedrooms (and closets), bathrooms, hallways, kitchen, and living areas, as well as enclosed patios, and finished attics.

Is basement included in square footage?

As a general rule of thumb, listing agents and appraisers don’t count a finished basement toward the overall square footage, especially if the basement is completely below grade—a term that means below ground level. Whether an appraiser includes basement living space ultimately depends on which state you live in.

How do you find the square footage of a house with feet and inches?

Measure the length, measure the width, multiply these two and you have the square footage of a space.How To Figure Square Feet For Your Home Divide each inch total by 12 (153 divided by 12 is 12.75 and 177 divided by 12 is 14.75) Multiply the two numbers (12.75 x 14.75) Answer: 188, the room is 188 square feet.

Does a heated garage count as square footage?

The size of a home is measured in square feet of living space, which does not include a garage. Total square feet of living space is different from total area under the roof, another type of home measurement. Total area under the roof includes porches, garages and balconies.

Does a covered porch count as square footage?

Covered porches and sunrooms Open-air, covered porches never add to your home’s square footage, even if they are elevated to the same level as the rest of the house by the foundation. Screened-in porches do not qualify as living space either. Four-season sunrooms count towards the total square footage.

How does Zillow calculate square footage?

Multiply the rectangle’s length by its width to get the area in square feet.

What is considered livable space in a house?

HABITABLE SPACE is space in a building for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Bathrooms, toilets, hallways, storage areas, closets, or utility rooms and similar areas are not considered habitable spaces.

Do basement bedrooms count on an appraisal?

Think of a basement bedroom as a bonus: It counts as a bedroom, but is identified separately from the above-grade room count in an appraisal. This space must meet basic living standards to earn the bedroom title, including: Windows with dimensions meeting your local building code.

Is a laundry room considered living space?

We’ve done our research to find the answer to this question. In most areas, any room with finished walls, a ceiling, and heating and/or air-conditioning is considered usable square footage. Even the closets are counted as part of the square footage inside the home, so the laundry room should be too.

How do you figure out square footage pricing?

Price per square foot is calculated by dividing the price of the home by the square footage of the home to come up with a price per square foot number. For example, if the price of the home is $100,000 and it is 1,000 square feet, the price per square foot is $100.

How do I figure out the square footage of my shower?

Measure the Shower Area Multiply the length and width together and divide by 144 to determine the square footage of that wall. Repeat for all other walls in the shower area. Add the square footage of all the walls together to get the total square footage of the shower area.

Can a guest house be included in square footage?

Selling Your Home: Potential for Profit A guest house can add significant property value when it’s time to sell your home. Simply by having a guest house attached to your home, you’re adding a decent amount to the home’s total square footage.

Does square footage include balcony?

Typically, a balcony, terrace, or patio isn’t included in the square footage calculations of a residence. For an area of a building to be ‘counted’, the traditional rule is that it must be fully enclosed, heated, and most importantly, liveable.

Is a lean to considered square footage?

No, overhang does not count. It is the square footage of the walls that is measured. Length multiplied by width of the building walls is the measurement of square footage .

Is garage considered living space?

Builders are notorious for beefing up the ‘square footage’ of a home by including the garage and porches. They like to call it ‘4,200 square feet under roof’. Because garages, porches, decks, etc. are not considered living area and should never be listed as such.

Do appraisers verify square footage?

Some appraisers will measure square footage with a good old measuring tape, albeit a large one. Others come equipped with those new state-of-the-art laser devices. I have been present when an appraiser will just eyeball a difficult-to-measure space or even do the wide-arm measurement.

Is square footage accurate on Zillow?

It’s as accurate as the listing agent makes it. The listing agent generally fills out a form everybody else simply copies it. Square footage is often derived from State Property Tax records (Maryland SDAT) rarely includes finished basements or recent bathrooms or un-permitted work.

What if house has wrong square footage?

What to Do if the Square Footage is Wrong on Your House. If you believe that the public records are inaccurate, you should contact your local county’s assessment department to request that the data be reviewed. The process varies by location; some may ask you to file an appeal or submit a grievance.

Are stairs considered living space?

Finished space that lack permanent stairs or direct access, such as plant shelves, are not considered living area. Finished spaces only accessed by ladders, such as lofts, are not considered living area. Stairs and landing are included on each level.

Is garage included in square footage when building a house?

A garage is not included in square footage calculation because it’s not a finished living space. Consider, however, the added value of having a 3 car garage compared to a 2 car garage for most buyers.